Method of making concrete road joints



March 26, 1940. K'

METHOD 0F MAKING CONCRETE ROAD JOINTS Filed Nov. 16, 1936 www? 20 5amf 56* Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES KING C J OINTS METHoD Vor MA PATENT OFFICE i ONCRETE ROAD Cliiord Older, Wilmette, Ill.

Application November 16, 1936, Serial No. 110,959

` 1 Claim.

The present invention is a continuation in part of my prior application, Serial No. 565,229, led September 26, 1931, on Expansion joints for concrete pavements and the like, and also of my prior application, Serial No. 731,042, led June 13, 1934, and having the same title.

One or" the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved sliding expansion or contraction joint which does not require a plastic or semi-plastic filling material.

In the expansion joints of the prior art, the cracks appearing between the sections of pavement are ordinarily iilled with a plastic or semiplastic material, Such as asphalt or tar. When such joints close,-due to the expansion of the adjacent concrete sections, all, or nearly all, of the plastic material is forced out at the top of the joint, since` it is prevented from being forced out below the concrete by the presence of the 25 sub-grade material. The plastic material which is forced out at the top of the joint, forms, at least temporarily, ridges of material across the pavement, which are struck by the wheels of the passing vehicles, causing an impact blow to fall `upon the adjacent concrete slabs. This often causes the slabs to become broken, unless they are made strong enough, at additional expense, to resist this extra force.

Ultimately, the ridges of semi-plastic material 35 maybe flattened out by trafc; but in the meantime the pavement may be seriously damaged. If the plastic filler is soft enough, so that it will flatten out immediately under trafc, it will also iow sidewise, due to the crown of the pavement, and leave the center only partially filled, and the surplus flows over the surface of the pavement, forming unsightly pools.

It is also desirable that an expansion joint should permit widening of the joint or crack :from its initial position and rewidening from any predetermined position, in order to take care of expansion in the summer and contraction of the concrete pavement section in the winter. When a joint is filled with such plastic material, it can- One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved sliding expansion joint which is also adapted to transmit loadk directly from one concrete section to another` by virtue of the structure of the joint, and which does not require any plastic or compressible filler. Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved method of constructing conl crete road joint units of the class described, by means of which a tight sliding fit is assured be-f tween the parts secured to the adjacent coni crete sections, thereby assuring the horizontal i one section settling below the other, or producing i any bump or irregularity in the pavement at the joint.

Another object is the provision of an improved expansion joint assembly which may be manufactured out of standard structural shapes and plates,` or which lends itself readily to manufacture out of sheetmetal, so that the metallic members may be manufactured at a low cost.

Another object is the provision of an improved` expansion joint assembly which may be installed as a unit in the concrete and supported without the aid of header boards, and which may also be used to end a days runv ofconcrete, thus entirely eliminating the boards usually employed for that purpose. v

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts` throughout the several views:

Referring to the single sheet of drawings accompanying this specification,

Fig. 1 is a sectional View of one of the parts of a road joint unit, showing the first step in the method of manufacture;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing both parts of the road jointunit fastened together, and illustrating another step in the method of manufacture;

Fig. 3 is a similar View of a modification in which a different mode of securement is used to fasten the parts of the unit together;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of another modification installed in a concrete roadway;

Fig. 5 is a similar View of another modification of slightly different structure;

Fig. 6 is a similar sectional View of another modification;

Fig. 'I is a top plan view of the joint of Fig. 2 or 4, differing in appearance from the other joints only in the type of fastening member or bolt.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, the numerals 20, 2| indicate the adjacent ends of two sections of concrete which are separated by a space 22 and provided with an expansion joint unit indicated in its entirety by the numeral 23. The structure may also be used to make a contraction joint which might differ from those shown in the application only in the lack of the space 22, in which case it is not necessary to provide the plates which form the space 22, but only suicient connection need be provided between the top and the bottom of the joint to insure the location of the crack at the point 22 to permit contraction.

The expansion joint unit 23 preferably consists of a pair of fittings, each of which is indicated in its entirety by numerals 2li, and. 25, the tting 2d being iiXedly mounted on the concrete section 2t, and the fitting 25 being iixedly mounted on the concrete section 2l.

The fittings 24, 25 furthermore encloses the space 22 between the concrete sections 2t, 2E, and the fitting 24 is slidably mounted in the fittings 25 in order to permit either expansion or contraction of the concrete sections.

Both fittings are preferably built up of standard angle iron members and metal plates in order to construct the devices most economically and to provide for the closing of apertures, which are left by striking out anchoring formations and attaching flanges. In some embodiments of the invention, however, the fittings 2li and 25 may be constructed of sheet metal, such as steel, which is stamped or bent to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. The angle iro-ns are preferably made of rust-resisting or stainless steel, so as to eliminate any possibility of the joints sticking or becoming rusted together.

Each of the ttings 24 and 25 may thus be built up of a pair of angle irons and a centrally located plate, such as the members 25-28 and the members 29-3L The fitting 2d is similar in construction to the fitting 25, except that tting 215- is smaller in size and has its parts eX- tending in the reverse direction, and it is adapted to be received between the flanges 32, 33 of the fitting t5. The tting 25 is preferably provided with a plate 30 of sufficient width so that the fitting is of substantially the same size as the depth of the concrete at any point.

Thus the unit may be provided with wider plates 2'?, 30 at each end of the unit so as to make the depth of the concrete road wider at each edge. The angle irons 26, 28, 2S and 3l are all of substantially the same construction eX- cept that the anchoring lugs on the unit 24 extend in an opposite direction to the anchoring lugs on unit 25.

Each angle iron has anchoring lugs 30, 35 struck out of the vertical flanges of the angle irons and extending into the concrete sections 2U or 2i in which they are embedded. The anchoring lugs may be provided with irregular formations 311 so as to anchor them more firmly in the concrete, one form of this construction being a notch or depression in each lug.

The platest'l and 3l) are each preferably wide enough to extend upward over the vertical iianges of the angle irons 2E, 23, 29, 3l sufficiently to cover the gaps which are made when the anchoring lugs 35 are punched out of the body. Attaching flanges 3S may be struck out of the body of the plates 2, 3l! and spot welded at 3l to the anchoring lugs 35 to fasten the plates to the angle irons, thereby providing a much safer structure, due to the arrangement of the iianges SiS-35 extending transversely to the length of the angle irons.

One of the most important features of the invention is the mode of manufacture of such units whereby a tight sliding fit is provided between the horizontal iianges of the angle irons. In the absence of such a sliding fit, there might be suicient vertical movement between these horizontal flanges to defeat the object of the joint, which is to assure the alignment of the concrete sections, as well as to permit contraction and/or expansion.

The outermost horizontal flanges of the angle irons 2G, 28, 29, 3| are preferably provided with a sharp beveled edge 38 so as to clip off any concrete which might accidentally get on the outside of the horizontally extending flange of the inner tting 24.

One mode of assuring a tight sliding t between these fittings is illustrated in Fig. 4, in which the horizontal flanges of the angle irons are provided with apertures 3S, and screw bolts 4@ secure these flanges together. The apertures 39 in two of the angle irons, such as, for example, the angle irons 29, 3l,l may be elongated slots in order to permit sliding movement after the joint is completed.

The method of manufacture of these joints in order to assure a tight sliding fit is as follows: One fitting 24 is constructed as shown in Fig. 1, the two angle irons 26, 2B being secured together by the plate 2i, with the horizontal flanges thereof in parallel relation. The horizontal flanges are provided with suitable apertures. The angle irons 2S, 3l are then bolted to the angle irons 25 and 2B as shown in Fig. 2, the tight engagement of the horizontal iianges putting these horizontal flanges in the position which it is desired they assume in the finished joint.

The anchoring lugs 35 have been previously struck out of the bodies of the vertical flanges of each of the angle irons, and the spacing of the angle irons is accomplished by means of the plate 27, previously applied to the angle irons 25 and 23. The plate 3! may now be attached to the vertical flanges of the angle irons 29, 3l by welding or any convenient fastening means. and the unit is then complete, as shown in Fig. 2.

If the iianges of two of the angle irons are to be slotted, as shown in 4, the bolts 2li may be used, but ordinary round apertures may be used by removing the bolts dil and substituting a pin which is adapted to be withdrawn after the concrete joint is installed. For example, in. 3 an elongated bolt is used for fastening both part-s of the unit together during the manufacture of the joint. This saine pin may be used when, installing the concrete joint in the concrete by removing the nut and bending over the lower end of the pin in such manner that thepin can be straightened out by inserting a pull at the eye on the top. i

In Figs. and 6, different modes ment are used, as follows:

In Fig. 5 the saine unit 25, comprising the angles 29 and 3l, and connecting plate 35, are employed. The angles 29--3i are provided with anchoring lugs di. The lower flange of the angle iron 3i is provided with a sheet metal shield 012, having a downwardly `turned edge 113, which forms an expansion space 4d.

Shield 42 may have an upwardly extending flange 45, and the shield may be spot welded to the angle iron 3l at 55. This assures tight`contact between the shield 42 andthe sliding horizontal portion of the angle iron 3l.

of attach- Theconcrete section 2l is provided at its upper face with a sheet metal shield 4l, having anchoring lugs 48 embedded in the concrete and having a downwardly extending flange 45. The shield 41 may beibolted to the horizontal part of the angle iron 29 by a plurality of screw bolts 55, the head of the bolt being uppermost, and the nut lowerrnost, so that the bolt may be entirely removed after the concrete has hardened.

The clamping action of the bolts 50 assures tight engagement between the shield 4l' and horizontal flange of angle iron 25.

When a contraction joint is constructed, no

space 22 is necessary, but in an expansion joint` a sheet metal plate 5I may be` provided, having diagonally, upwardly extending anges 52, and a diagonally, downwardly extending flange 53.

Flanges 52, 53 are of such length that they engage the angle irons 2t, and 3l at the vertical Lflanges thereof and hold the plate 5i against the Vertical flanges 45 and 49, thereby forming an air space 22. When the concrete` expands after the joint has been completed, the flanges 52, 53 are adapted to bend over against the body of the plate 5I.

Referring to Fig. 6, in this embodiment of the invention, the horizontal flanges of the angle irons 29 and 3l and the shields t1 and 42 have been provided with registering apertures, and

the lowermost aperture 55 in the angle iron 3l has been threaded to receive a through bolt 55, having its head at the top. 'I'he shields 42 and 41 are engaged by the vertical angle iron struts 55, which are wedged in between these shields after the bolt 55 has been applied, the struts Fig. 4 is shown in section, separate from the concrete, illustrating one of the steps in the manufacture of the joint unit.

Referring to Fig. 3, this is a modification of Fig. 2, in which slots need not be provided in either of the angle irons for sliding of the bolts tu, since the upper and lower bolts have been removed after the unit has been constructed, and have been replaced by a through bolt 51, which is capable of removal by pulling, since the laterally turned end 58 is adapted to be bent to a practically straight position when suicient `pull is exerted on the bolt. Bolt 51 is merely used for concrete sections are secured in tight engagement with each other. It is very essential that there be no vertical play between these horizontal sliding flanges. Otherwise, the purpose of the joint would be defeated.

The method of construction of the joint to assure tight engagement between the sliding flanges is as follows: The angle irons 25 and 28 are first secured together by being welded to the plate 21, or the unit 25 may be first constructed by welding the angle irons 2S' and 3l to the plate 3E). In other words, one of the units 2li, 25 is first constructed. Then the angle irons `of the remaining units are fixedly secured to the corresponding angle irons of the unit that has been rst constructed, to assure tight engagement between the horizontal flanges thereof. For example, in Fig. 4, the bolts 45 may then fasten these fianges together.y In Fig. 5the bolts 55 and/or spot welds it may be used.

Referring again to the embodiment of Figs. l to ll, the remaining wall plate 3l) or 21 is ther welded to its proper angle irons, with the angle irons tightly bound to the other angle irons against which they are to slide. This assures tight sliding engagement between the two units 2i and 25 and assures a lit which cannot be secured in any other lway. 'I'he same result is accomplished in Fig. 6 by first constructing the left hand part of the unit and then attaching the shields 42, 41 by means of bolt 55 and spreading the shields with thestruts 56 into tight engagement with the horizontal flanges of the angle irons 29, 3l.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved method of constructing sliding concrete joints, in which there is a tight sliding fit between the metal parts of the joint which practically eliminates all vertical play. The joint unit is installed in the concrete as a unit, and after its anchoring lugs have become firmly securedin the concrete by the hardening of the concrete the securing devices Which hold the sliding flanges together are then removed.

While I have illustrated a perferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails ofv construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

The method of constructing a concrete pavement which comprises placing an expansion joint unit comprising two sliding fittings in a predetermined position, With the fittings held in fixed relation to each other, placing the concrete about anchoring formations on said fittings Yand releasing said `fittings to move freely with respect to each other, to permit the fittings to slide relative to each other with the concrete during the drying and setting of the concrete.

CLIFFORD OLDER. 

